News

Tributes as road safey campaign group folds

A GROUP which has played a vital role in helping to improve road safety in Ryedale is to fold.

Malton, Norton and District Road Safety Committee was formed nearly 40 years ago and has campaigned for numerous improvements in the area including the Brambling Fields junction and Newbiggin crossroads in Malton.

An appeal was made last year for a new secretary after Cyril Shreeve, who had held the post since the group’s formation, decided to step down, to no avail.

Mr Shreeve said: “At one time we had 12 members but latterly we were down to just five.

“No one has come forward since our appeal for a new secretary and sadly we also lost two long-standing and conscientious members of the committee, Reg Perrin and Coun Richard Milner, whose support and friendship will be difficult to replace.”

Mr Shreeve, a former town mayor and town clerk of Norton, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, said the committee had played a valuable role in helping to improve road safety in the area.

“It has been frustrating at times as it can be a long slog to get road improvements carried out as it all boils down to priorities and resources,” he said.

“I think some people have been reluctant to come forward and join because it is such a long process before any improvements are seen,” he said.

“But it has been enjoyable and when we did get success those were times for celebration.”

Mayor of Norton, Coun Di Keal said: “Norton Town Council has always valued the excellent work that the road safety committee has done for many years in the area and would like to whole-heartedly thank Mr Shreeve and other members of the committee for their dedication to trying to improve road safety both for the benefit of pedestrians and motorists.

“The town council will do its best to keep up the high standard of work that the committee has carried out in the past and scrutinise road safety issues that come to our attention.”